Rangers Struggle as Panarin Sidelined by Injury

The New York Rangers are facing significant challenges as their leading scorer, Artemi Panarin, is sidelined with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. This comes amid a difficult stretch where the Rangers have lost nine of their last twelve games, dropping them out of a playoff spot. Coach Peter Laviolette is making strategic changes, including scratching forward Kaapo Kakko, despite his strong performance this season, in hopes of reversing the team's fortunes. The Rangers are already contending with other injuries, including defenseman K’Andre Miller and newly acquired Urho Vaakainanen. Panarin's absence necessitated major lineup adjustments, with Filip Chytil taking a top-line role. Pressure mounts as Panarin had previously expressed the team's urgency to win the Stanley Cup while their competitive window remains open.